After crunching numbers and seeing high-end resort prices, this felt reasonable for a family trip.
We loved getting to see lots of new places and not worry about having to plan our meals.
I paid $9,000 for what was technically the cheapest room on an ultra-luxury cruise — a price that initially felt steep until I compared it with alternatives.
My family had been planning a multigenerational trip to the Caribbean during the busy period between Christmas and New Year's Eve, which is also one of the most expensive travel weeks of the year.
We wanted something that felt indulgent without becoming logistically exhausting or financially disproportionate once all the extras were added up.
At first, we looked at high-end beach resorts, but they were commanding eye-watering rates. I saw a few in Barbados and St. Barts charging over $4,000 a night for a room, and that price doesn't even include food, drinks, and gratuities.
The costs seemed like they could really add up. As we ran the numbers, an all-inclusive cruise began to make more sense.
Plus, we liked the idea of exploring Caribbean destinations we hadn't visited before without having to deal with multiple hotel check-ins, flights, and transfers. A port-heavy itinerary could allow us to sample several places while unpacking just once.
So, our group settled on a 12-night Caribbean cruise aboard the Seabourn Ovation.
Our family booked two rooms and spent about $20,000 on the cruise.
David Morris
We traveled as a group of five: my mother, my brother and sister-in-law, their 7-year-old son, and me.
In total, we booked two entry-level suites — one for my mother and me, and another for my brother, sister-in-law, and their son — bringing the combined cruise fare to just over $20,000 for five people across 12 nights.
This figure includes accommodations, all meals, a selection of soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, and gratuities. We saved some money on my 7-year-old nephew's fare thanks to the cruise line's third-guest-at-half-price policy.
By booking through a preferred travel advisor, I also received $400 in onboard credit, plus an additional $250 referral credit (which my brother's family also received).
Our cabin felt like part of a boutique hotel.
David Morris
Our suite measured 302 square feet, plus a 68-square-foot balcony.
Its decor was pretty minimal, but it felt a bit elevated with accents of marble, dark wood, and glass.
Despite being the cheapest option on the ship, this room felt more like it was part of a boutique hotel than just a standard cruise cabin.
The walk-in closet was a pleasant surprise.
David Morris
The base-category suite felt thoughtfully laid out, with a seating area, a couch, a table, two beds, and a generously sized walk-in closet. Our clothes and bags easily fit inside with space to spare.
In the other suite, a sofa bed was set up as a dedicated sleeping space for my nephew.
The bathroom had dual sinks, a tub, and a compact but functional shower.
David Morris
The bright-white bathroom featured dual vanities, a soaking tub, and a glass-enclosed shower. My only critique was the shower size, which felt slightly tight compared to ones in some newer ships we've sailed on.
Our room's minibar was stocked exactly to our preferences.
David Morris
We were delighted to find our room's minibar stocked with complimentary ginger beer, juices, and the spirits we requested prior to our sailing.
Since all of our meals, standard beverages, and gratuities were included in the cost of the cruise fare, we didn't have to budget or crunch numbers during our trip.
We had most of our dinners in the ship's main dining room, which was so easy. It felt quite formal, and the rotating menus kept things interesting across the 12-night itinerary.
Passengers also had access to The Patio, a poolside eatery with laid-back fare, and The Colonnade, a more casual spot serving buffet breakfasts and lunches, plus seated themed dinners.
We also enjoyed our opportunities for specialty dining.
12
David Morris
Options for specialty dining included a sushi restaurant and a Mediterranean eatery called Solis, which was a standout for me.
The menu featured steak, lobster, and whole grilled fish deboned tableside. I particularly loved its post-dinner affogatos
Pools, hot tubs, and quieter outdoor spaces were easy to find.
13
David Morris
The ship has a large main pool surrounded by lots of loungers, though we preferred the smaller hot tubs in other areas.
Quieter spots, like the hot tub at the bow with incredible views of the ocean, quickly became our favorites.
My favorite area on board was The Retreat.
14 The Retreat.
David Morris
Located on the top sundeck, The Retreat was my favorite area on the ship.
The space offered shaded cabanas, a noticeably calmer atmosphere than the main pool deck, and attentive, unhurried service.
To access it, passengers had to pay an additional $150 per day on port days or $250 on sea days.
Booking it on sea days felt especially worthwhile. The quiet setting made it easy to relax or catch up on a bit of remote work on my laptop without feeling out of place.
Excursions cost extra, but they felt well-organized and fairly priced.
Our favorite was in Saint Lucia, where a packed day included a catamaran ride, volcano hike, mud bath, and snorkeling.
The excursion ran late, but the ship waited for us as it had been booked through them.
Holiday surprises added to the experience.
16
David Morris
On Saint Kitts, the crew arranged a private Christmas Day beach party with grilled lobster and drinks. Later, Santa Claus arrived by Jet Ski to serve caviar and Champagne in the surf.
The cruise's overall cost felt reasonable considering everything it included.
17
David Morris
Ultimately, our cruise averaged out to about $333 per person, per night. That felt surprisingly fair considering how much was included in our 12-night trip.
We also really enjoyed the ship's intimate size. Compared to other mega-ships carrying thousands of people, this 600-passenger vessel felt calm, navigable, and personal. We never felt overwhelmed by crowds, even on sea days.
Although children aren't typically the target audience for ultra-luxury cruises, my nephew genuinely had a great time alongside the mostly older guests. His sailing also felt like a great value, considering he was charged half price as a third guest and still had his own proper bed.
For a multigenerational holiday trip that combined ease, variety, and consistent service, the value ultimately justified the price.
All in all, we enjoyed the trip enough to book another Seabourn voyage (at a discounted price) before disembarking.